Nordic
Latest
Apple joins Bluetooth SIG board of directors
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced that Apple and semiconductor firm Nordic have both joined the board of directors. Apple is an obvious choice; not only is the company now at the lead of the mobile device industry, but it's also been very faithful to the standard, including Bluetooth in all of the eleventy billion iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches out there these days. [Well, other than the first-gen iPod touch anyway. --Ed] Bluetooth says the confirmation to the board will help push a world of Bluetooth connections between mobile devices forward, bringing together "mobile phones, laptops, tablets, TVs, homes, and even cars [to] soon serve as hub devices to capture data from hundreds of millions of small sensors." That's an ambitious vision, to say the least, but that's what Apple is supposed to help out with while serving on the board.
Politics and religion: RuneScape starts the new year in style
All may seem quiet on the MMO front, but if you turn your eyes to RuneScape, you'll see a bustling explosion of activity with the advent of January. Three new pieces of content are available in the game, including a new high-level boss and a Nordic-themed wolf. If politics are your thing -- Dwarven politics, to be precise -- then you'll want to check out a brand-new quest that tasks players with discovering just who is the rightful king of the Dwarves in Keldagrim. It won't be a bloodless affair, but Jagex promises to make it worth the player's effort. Maybe you want to test your mettle against a god? Then jump into the God Wars dungeon to face off against Nex, a powerful boss that boasts 15 unique combat moves. If you find yourself triumphant -- doubtful, really, but it is technically possible -- then you'll enjoy an array of coveted level 80 gear for your character. Or perhaps you're in the mood for a hunt, in which case RuneScape will send you on the trail of the Hati Wolf, a seasonal boss that drops special XP-boosting gloves. Check out all of the details behind RuneScape's January content over at the official site!
Ubisoft to shoulder Rift's European publishing
With Rift's launch looming closer by the day, forces are coming into play faster now than ever before. Trion Worlds has announced that it is partnering with Ubisoft to publish Rift in Europe. Ubisoft, which has studios in countries all across the globe, will be tasked with releasing the game in France, Benelux, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Nordics. This deal includes multiple years of service starting in 2011. While Ubisoft has handled smaller MMOs, such as Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom, Rift represents the largest MMO client to date for the company. Trion Worlds' CEO Lars Buttler sees this as a great move for the game: "To join forces with an industry leader such as Ubisoft on our first title further demonstrates the potential Rift has to be a game-changer in the online gaming space. We are thrilled to be working with Ubisoft, one of world's leading publishers, as we reaffirm our commitment to deliver quality products to gamers around the world." While Ubisoft is not without its fair share of controversies, no one can deny that the publisher has clout across the market. Rift's closed beta starts later this week, and all signs still point toward an early 2011 release.
iPad officially debuts in Nordic countries tomorrow
The iPad continues its march towards world domination. A number of TUAW readers and the Swedish Apple site Alltommac.se are reporting that the iPad will finally make it to authorized Apple resellers in Sweden tomorrow. It also appears that iPads will be warming hearts throughout the Nordic countries of Norway, Finland and Denmark tomorrow as well. Confirmation of the launch has been forthcoming from official Apple sources as well as from resellers, many of whom are reported to be planning special early store openings tomorrow to feed the frenzy. The largest Apple retailer in Finland, Humac, ran teaser ads this morning saying that "morning coffee is one reason to come visit Humaciin on Tuesday," with a tell-tale iPad-shaped coffee stain on the ad. No pricing information has been forthcoming from any of the retailers at this time. [via MacRumors] Update -- Thanks to TUAW reader Henrik, who reported the following prices for Norwegian iPad purchasers 16GB Wi-Fi - NOK3999 - USD644 32GB Wi-Fi - NOK4999 - USD805 64GB Wi-Fi - NOK5999 - USD967 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G - NOK4899 - USD789 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G - NOK5899 - USD951 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G - NOK6899 - USD1112
Namco Bandai to distribute Cities XL in United Kingdom
Fresh off their merger and complete with a new-ish name, Namco Bandai has announced a UK publishing deal for urban management MMO Cities XL. More specifically, the publisher is set to distribute the Monte Cristo developed title in the UK, Italy, Nordic countries, Iberica, New Zealand and Australia. Distribution elsewhere will be handled by Monte Cristo themselves.If you're looking for more information on Cities XL, we've got a detailed hands-on preview written by our very own Shawn Schuster. Plus, we're still offering the opportunity to win a shiny beta key so you can try the game out for yourself. It's a good time to be both an MMO and city builder fan, which is strange to write but feels oh-so-good.
Android-powered HTC phones headed to Nordic lands next summer
While most Danes are more concerned with securing a Snuggie right now than securing a next-generation handset, we do have some stellar news for those waiting in tense anticipation for Android to head that way. According to HTC's Peter Frølund, at least one Android-powered handset will be coming to Denmark next summer. In fact, he's quoted as saying that "one or more Android products" will land in all of the Nordic countries simultaneously, though he couldn't get any more specific than that. Bonus Snuggie coverage after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
BBC HD making Scandinavia debut on Canal Digital this December
BBC HD is taking one more step on its road to world domination by making its debut in continental Europe later this year. The channel is set to launch on Nordic pay-TV platform Canal Digital this December in Scandinavia, and it'll be landing alongside the SD stations BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment. There's no word yet on whether there will be an additional fee for access to the channel, but believe us when we say it'll be worth it even if so.[Thanks, Mats]
Sony Ericsson's PlayNow Arena: 1 million, DRM-free songs on Monday
What was just a footnote to 2007 has finally come to fruition. Sony Ericsson just went live with details on the August 25th launch of its PlayNow Arena media download site. Initially the site will offer 1 million, DRM-free songs (ramping up to 5 million) from Sony BMG, Warner Music, and EMI. It will also offer games, ringtones, applications, and themes for your mobile downloading pleasures. Other European countries will come on board later this year before it goes global in 2009. Tracks are expected to be "on par" with Apple's iTunes ($0.99 / €0.99) pricing but will cost SEK9 (about $1.43, credit card required) for the Nordic launch. Full press release after the break.
TeliaSonera bringing iPhone to Nordic and Baltic markets
To our friends living in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: welcome to the growing pack of iPhone-serviced countries! Telecom provider TeliaSonera just signed an agreement to bring the iPhone to these countries just in time for the (rumored) announcement of the 3G iPhone. Apple is definitely spreading the love (and the exclusive carrier contracts) far and wide. I'm not even sure anymore which countries don't have service, presently or forthcoming, but I did get terrible grades in geography. Fortunately, our commenters will be sure to make up for my cartographic shortcomings. Thanks, Olk, Mattias, Jari, Johan, Borger, Undero and everyone else who sent this in!
TeliaSonera nabs iPhone rights for Nordic and Baltic markets
Ok ok, we hear you tipsters, iPhone now official for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia "later this year" thanks to a deal between Apple and TeliaSonera. At this point, only The Netherlands seems to be out of the loop in Europe.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Customer choice important to Singstar dev - 350 songs at launch
This morning Paulina Bozek, executive producer of the Singstar series of games, gave a speech at the Nordic game conference about the upcoming Singstar title for the PlayStation 3. Gamesindustry.biz have a full summary of the presentation but, as usual, I'm going to boil it down to what I think are the most interesting points.Firstly, some numbers. 350 songs at launch, with 100 new ones every month. That should be enough to cover every song from each PS2 Singstar game, plus 100 new ones on day one. Give or take. This fits with the crux of Bozek's speech, that users want a massive amount of choice. As yet, there's no word on how much songs will cost to download.She goes on to discuss how interactive media is changing - that players are becoming creators and sites like Facebook and YouTube are great indicators of how consumer participation is evolving. Sounds very similar to a certain Mr. Harrison's Game 3.0 speech, don't you think? 'My Singstar Online' will mix all of these sites together to create a communal creative experience.
Mizuguchi demos Lumines II in person
Lumines II is one of the "most anticipated handheld games" to go to Tokyo Game Show tomorrow. Gaming god Tetsuya Mizuguchi took the stage at the Nordic Games conference and showed off the game in motion. Listen to the awesome beats, and see how video may change the Lumines experience for the better. Lumines II comes out in November.See also:Heavenly Star music videoLumines shoesBehind the Music: Q? EntertainmentInterview with the Lumines team
